Passing the baton to RAF100

One of the many events happening in 2018 will be the Centenary Baton Relay which will see a specially designed baton visit 100 sites associated with the RAF in 100 days.

While plans are underway to plan the relay route, the design of the baton has already been decided.

Students of the No 4 School of Technical Training at MOD St Athan pitched their designs for a baton to the Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Sir Stephen Hillier. Three designs were originally submitted, all of which highlighted materials used in the past, present and potential aircraft manufacture.

Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Sir Stephen Hillier (centre) with the winning designers

After careful consideration of the designs Sir Stephen chose a baton design that will be constructed using brass, wood, aluminum, steel and carbon aerofoil wing cross-sections, symbolising aircraft construction through the ages.

The design by aircraftsmen Jack Richardson, Luke Marston, Wame Qalobulawasikabara and Tristan Gower also features LED rings of red, white and blue which will illuminate the baton symbolising the RAF roundel. It will also include the RAF crest and RAF100 logo.

The relay will begin its journey at the Royal Courts of Justice on 1 April 2018 and will end 100 days later on 10 July on Horseguards Parade. More details of the route coming soon.